When placing a wager on a sporting event, you’ll often see + and – notation next to the amount of the wager. What does the + and – notation mean exactly? Let’s explore.
The Mathematics Behind The + And – Notation
To begin with, we need to clarify some mathematical concepts. Let’s consider a bet between two teams, Team A and Team B, with A betting +2 to win and B betting –2 to win. In this type of bet, you’re implying that if Team A wins, it will payout 2 to 1 (or +2 ). Similarly, if Team B wins, it will payout –2 to 1 (or –2 ). Now, let’s say that Team A wins and you earn $100. What does this mean in terms of your initial investment (the amount you initially laid down when you made the bet)?
In this case, you’ll need to subtract your original investment ($100) from your winnings ($200), resulting in a profit of $100.
Similarly, if you invest $100 on a Team B win, you’ll need to add your original investment ($100) to your winnings ($100), resulting in a profit of $200.
The + and – notation simply translates to ‘plus’ and ‘minus’, which in this case mean that you made a profit of $100 if Team A wins and you lose $100 if Team B wins. Alternatively, if you risk $100 on a Team B win, you’ll need to risk $100 on a Team A win to make the same $100 profit.
When Are Wagers Placed?
Wagers are usually placed before the sporting event in question. However, in cases where the event is being televised, you may see wagers placed after the live broadcast.
For example, if you’re watching a tennis match and the match goes to extended play, you’ll probably see someone place a wager after the tennis match is over. This is because the bet will be settled after the match based on the outcome (win or lose).
The Appeal Of Betting On Sporting Events
Sporting events are exciting to watch and even more exciting to participate in. However, for those of us who are not naturally gifted at sports, they can be somewhat tedious to follow. This is why many people prefer to bet on sporting events.
The reason why betting on sporting events is appealing is that there is usually a clear-cut winner and loser. The outcome is often not in doubt, either team wins or loses. This makes it much simpler for everyone involved to simply follow the action and know what is going on. Even if you are not a fan of sports, you’ll still find it interesting to follow a game you’re familiar with (e.g., soccer, volleyball, etc…).
Why Do Some People Like To Bet On Certain Teams?
You may see people betting on teams they’re not affiliated with. For example, if you were born and raised in Argentina and follow the soccer league there, you may want to bet on the ‘Argentine’ team against the ‘British’ team. This is simply because they’re both teams you’re familiar with and it’s easier for fans of either country to follow the game. This is especially beneficial for televised matches where only certain games are available to watch (e.g., sports networks only show certain games).
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have people betting on their favorite teams. For example, if you’re a fan of the New York Yankees and they’re playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s easy for you to bet on the Yankees. This is because you’re always going to want to see your team win, especially when they’re playing against a team you don’t support.
It’s important to keep in mind that no matter what, your money is always at risk when you’re betting. This means that you could end up losing money, regardless of whether you’re betting on a win or lose. The key is simply to do your research and pick a team you understand and are confident in.
When Is A Wager Placed?
Wagers are usually placed before the event that they’re betting on. However, in cases where the event is being televised, you may see wagers placed after the live broadcast.
For example, if you’re watching a tennis match and the match goes to extended play, you’ll probably see someone place a wager after the tennis match is over. This is because the bet will be settled after the match based on the outcome (win or lose).
Also, if you’re participating in a wager during an event, you’ll usually need to place your wager prior to the start of the event. This ensures that your wager is resolved before the end of the event. Otherwise, you could end up having to wait until after the event to get your refund or winnings.